North Melbourne is open to working with Andrew Swallow should the former club captain ask for a trade, GM Football Cameron Joyce says.
Swallow told LightFM radio on Monday morning he would "love" to move to Gold Coast to play alongside younger brother David, saying he is exploring his options this trade period after a difficult 2017.
“First and foremost, Andrew is contracted next year but we have made contact with him and his management and fully respect his position and thinking,” Joyce told NMFC.com.au.
“Last year he had to battle for a spot in the senior side and if he feels there would be more opportunities for him at another club, whether it’s with the Gold Coast or elsewhere, we certainly wouldn’t stand in his way.
“However, we are also keen for him to stay as his playing abilities, leadership qualities and character are all assets for us.”
The Suns are open to bringing the Swallow brothers together at Metricon Stadium, with Gold Coast list manager Scott Clayton telling NAB AFL Trade Radio on Monday: "We're open to everything, but it comes down to list spots."
Swallow conceded his future was "still a bit up in the air" on the back of "one of the more challenging years" of his football career.
The three-time Syd Barker Medallist was dropped to the VFL for the first time since 2008 this season as young Roo and fellow inside midfielder Trent Dumont assumed a more prominent role.
Despite returning to play the final 10 rounds of the 2017 season, Swallow said his future at Arden Street was uncertain.
"We've got a Trade Period coming up which is always interesting. I've got a young family now and wouldn't mind looking at a few different options, but we'll just have to wait and see what happens over the next couple of weeks," Swallow said.
"I haven't really been in this position before, I've been very fortunate. I've played 12 seasons at North Melbourne and I've always been pretty much in contract, so I've never really had any thoughts about doing anything else or being in a position where maybe I'm not getting a game at the club.
"So it's probably a first for me and something I'll probably just let my manager and the club work through."
Asked whether a move to Gold Coast would appeal, Swallow said: "I'd love to get up there with my brother, (but) we'll just have to wait and see."
"They've just appointed a new coach (Stuart Dew). It depends on where their list is at and what they're doing, but that would be something I'd definitely have a look at if it came up.
"I'd love to get up there and really support [David]."
Swallow has played 224 games for North since being taken with pick No.43 in the 2005 NAB AFL Draft.
He captained the club from 2012-16, won the 2009, 2011 and 2012 best and fairest awards and was named in the preliminary All Australian squad from 2010-12.
